How is Bush viewed if he loses in 2004?

Hello,
Simple really-if John Kerry is elected in 2004, how do Historians and the public view Bush?

Personally I think he's one of the worst presidents the US has had, but things didn't really visibly fall apart until he was in to his second term.

Had he lost in 2004, would he be remembered more fondly? Could he have even pulled a Cleveland 4 years later in this situation?
 
I think he would have been viewed in better light. I guess it depends on what Kerry's presidency accomplishes. Unfortunately for Kerry, I think the country was on an unchangeable course in terms of economics and the Iraq War. I know Kerry had a different plan than Bush, but in the end, unless he supported a surge or pulled out entirely, the bloodshed seen in 2006 would have happened and most assuredly been tied to his policies.

The economic collapse was set in course years before the '04 election, so, it's hard to imagine any set policy would have been able to completely stop the housing bubble and stock bubbles going pop in 2007 & '08. If that happens, coupled with a potentially worsening situation in Iraq, it's hard to imagine Kerry has any chance of reelection and in that instance, I think Bush could run again (though, I don't think he would) and maybe win.

But regardless, we'd have a Republican president right now I think and Kerry, not Bush, would be getting the blame for the economic and housing meltdown seen during the last decade.
 
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